Q

[0_0_7]

The night was quiet. Bond feared it may be the last bit of peace for a while. God only knew what would happen tomorrow. He was a ball of nervous energy as he sipped a beer and looked out the window over the city below. If everything went perfectly then they might walk away tomorrow evening with a success under their belts. But when was the last time anything had gone according to plan? There were too many variables and Bond wavered between confident he had enough guns and enough of Q's tricks and real fear that something could go terribly wrong and Q could be hurt or he himself could be captured. Either or both of them could wind up dead.

He turned to look at Q on his laptop.

He had everything to fight for to stay alive now. Once he was all ego, confident he couldn't die because he simply couldn't. He was too good. Now...now he couldn't die because he couldn't stand to be parted from Q.

Comments

[quartermaster_q]

"M says there will be a package waiting at the front desk in the morning. Says you ought to be the one to retrieve it. ...Doesn't seem keen on me leaving the room, actually. Is this city really that dangerous?" he asked curiously, glancing up from his laptop as he spoke.

The hotel room was shabby, certainly not up to Bond's usual standards. ...Yet Q felt certain they were sleeping better than most in the area tonight.

[0_0_7]

"It really is. I'd prefer it if you didn't leave the hotel, either, but we may not have that choice," he replied. "Does he say what I'm picking up? Dossier? Car?"

[quartermaster_q]

"The email simply says 'package'. ...Perhaps it's for me," the quartermaster suggested with a cheeky smile. "Maybe it's my Christmas for once."

[0_0_7]

"Somehow I don't think it's Christmas in Cambodia this year," Bond chuckled. "I guess I have to wait until morning."

[quartermaster_q]

"What do you suggest we do in the meantime?" Q asked. "I suppose going out for a meal isn't on the menu."

[0_0_7]

"We could..." he said. "If you keep close and don't wear anything valuable. We could get some street food. It's not haute cuisine, but most of it is delicious. Just don't ask what it is."

[quartermaster_q]

"...Appealing as that sounds, perhaps we're safer with room service? They have that right?" Q asked.

[0_0_7]

"Again, I wouldn't recommend asking what we're eating," he smirked, then went to the phone to call down to order. He spoke Cambodian enough to be polite and order food for the two of them, and more cold beer.

"Not long."

[quartermaster_q]

The room had two beds, and though Q had already claimed one, he did wonder if they'd be sharing as he closed his laptop and stretched out.

"What's the television like out here?" he asked, assuming Bond would know more about that than he would.

[0_0_7]

"We might be able to find something closed captioned," he said. "Why don't you turn it on and see? The last time I was here the only thing I saw was Cambodia's Got Talent."

[quartermaster_q]

Q chuckled, then smiled as he shook his head. "That's alright, I'm sure you'll keep me entertained."

[0_0_7]

"I think that is something I can guarantee," Bond smiled. He was so full of energy, growing more and more antsy as he thought of the upcoming mission. He needed to take his mind off of it.

[quartermaster_q]

"We could push our beds together," Q said suggestively. "...After they deliver our dinner, that is."

[0_0_7]

"You don't want to be chaste and obey the laws?" he teased, then laughed. "I was going to suggest putting them together, too. I don't think I could sleep well apart from you."

[quartermaster_q]

"Me either. I hate when you don't come home- Cuddling with the cats just isn't as comforting," Q smiled.

[0_0_7]

"Sleeping in the field without you is hell," he agreed. "At least you get cats."

[quartermaster_q]

"Which is nice- Unless Oberon's got gas," Q replied, wrinkling his nose, then smiling brightly.

[0_0_7]

Bond laughed well at that and sat on the bed across from Q. The distance seemed immense and he was absolutely not going to sleep in separate beds tonight.

"He does that to get your attention. When you're on the computer you don't may him enough attention."

[quartermaster_q]

"I'm sure M will understand that I need to stop working to appease the cats," Q laughed, smiling and shaking his head. "He's just spoiled."

[0_0_7]

"He's your darling. I'm so glad he and Titania hit it off. I did think when I brought her home that he might not appreciate sharing you," Bond said.

[quartermaster_q]

"Cats are remarkably adaptable," Q smiled. "Perhaps we ought to buy a third and a fourth," he teased.

[0_0_7]

"You'll be a crazy cat lady if we get anymore," he replied. "Wine and cats and the internet...no. Best not."

[quartermaster_q]

"Oh, but I'm halfway there already. You never let me live my dreams," Q sighed.

[0_0_7]

"I think that depends on what you're dreaming about," he purred.

[quartermaster_q]

"Wicked old dog," Q tutted, offering a wink.